Like their parents, children who migrate must endure assimilation and adjustment as well. This was the case for Hugh. Needing to move five times to three different countries (Sweden, England, & the US), he discusses the pattern of having to adjust to a new culture and system each time he migrated. He recognizes his migration story represents less struggle than what other migrants from different parts of the world undergo. Additionally, he explains migrating has made him more well-rounded, adaptable, and not as sentimental. Regardless of where you are from, migration changes you and requires you to adjust.
There is a story behind every decision to migrate. What was yours (or your parents)? Because of my dads job, I didn’t really have a say in the matter. And also, what makes a different is that I’ve immigrated a few times to a few different places. They’ve all been because of my dad’s job. I first moved to America when I was 4, Sweden when I was 7, back to America at 9, then England for four years, then back to America. It was all because of my dad’s job and every time I didn’t want to go.
What were your (or your parents) hopes for your new life here? My dad had gotten a better job offer. In Whales there weren’t as lucrative jobs available or management positions in any companies.
Were there other options for you? Before England, they offered to put me in Boarding School and I thought it would be too difficult to live in a different country than my parents.
THE JOURNEY
Who did you come with and who did you leave behind? Did anyone come ahead of you? In every case, I came with my parents. Similarly, in every case I left behind all my friends. Because of social media it’s not as difficult as it once was. I’m still in group chats with my friends from England. When I was in England I was still in group chats with my friends from America,
What was the most difficult part about leaving? It was difficult to adapt to a new environment and a new school. I guess it could’ve been worse because at least I knew the language and the cultures are kind of similar. Even still it was kind of weird, slang for example.
What was your journey to this new country like? I know my experience was more privileged than others but it was just a plane.
What was the most difficult part of coming here? When I moved to England it was an all boys school and we had to wear a uniform. It was very different to what I had experienced before. I also remember when I was 5 in America and everyone made fun of me cause I said “tree” instead of “three.” that was the welsh-irish accent I had.
What was it like when you first arrived? I guess when I first arrived in England it was very very surreal.
What most surprised you? For me the transition was easy enough, I know it’s harder for others. It surprised me how after a few months I felt comfortable enough. I didn’t feel as alone.
What did you miss most about the country you came from? I guess about american I miss my friends most.
Who was most helpful with getting you settled? Family.
Migration can be hard. Where did you find strength in difficult times? I really liked the Big Bang Theory. I don’t watch it that much anymore but it served as a comfort food sorta thing. It reminded me of America.
How do you think that migration has changed you? It made me a more well-rounded person. I became more adaptable. I’m not as sentimental as I was.
HOPES & REALITIES
As time has passed, how does your experience compare to what you expected? I guess it was much easier than I expected because I was cared for by parents and my dad’s company. It wasn’t and ordeal. It was pretty comfortable.
What have been your greatest sources of joy? I guess it was nice to visit america once or twice when I lived in England. It was nice to see my friends and weird because I felt a little out of the loop.
Overall, how do you think you family is doing after the migration? Good. I guess it’s good that we had this opportunity. I know my dad had the opportunities he had because he was asked to move places because there were very good professional opportunities for him.
Can you think of times when you have felt unwelcomed as an immigrant? What about when you have felt welcomed? (Unwelcomed) Not particularly. Once we were coming through American customs and my mom forgot our green cards. It became an awkward encounter but I don’t think we were in the wrong though. (Welcomed) Just in general in my experience people have been welcoming. I’ve never felt unwelcomed.
What do you think about the wall proposed by the Trump Administration? Against.
What do you think about the family separation policy enacted by the Trump Administration? Seems like a bad thing.
How would you feel about the US intervening in Latin American countries and offering foreign services in hopes of decreasing unauthorized immigration to the US? I think it’s difficult because US intervention in Latin America has a bad history. If they were to do it again who’s to say it would turn out better. Also it’s mainly used as a vail to get rid of socialist governments and I’m not sure people would be too happy about that. Interventionism isn’t great but equally I don’t know if it would help. Maybe it would help but it doesn’t seem ethical.
Do you have a story about someone you care about that was deported? There was this guy named Chris who gave me guitar lessons. He said he was leaving for Colombia on vacation. I haven’t seen him in a few months now and I suspect he hasn’t been let back in.
What are you hoping to accomplish in the future? I guess get a university degree and get a job. Pay my parents back and make sure their investment was worth it.
What do you think may get in the way of those dreams? I’m going to a university in
Europe and I don’t know if my green card will hold up. I don’t know what my options are. I’ve never lived in America for more than 7 years which means I could never get citizenship.
In what ways do you think migration has made you a stronger person? I guess it’s just made me more adaptive and resilient to these situations. It’s made me better at talking to people.
ADVICE
If someone you knew were planning on coming to this country, what would you tell them to expect? Depends who they were and where they were coming from. I would say if you were coming to Princeton expect a friendly community. Then again I know not everyone is lucky enough to get to a town like Princeton.
What advice would you give them about whether or not they should come? You should come. America is a good country for job opportunities. It’s a very nice place to live.
What are the 2 or 3 most important things that people could do to make the process of coming to a new country better? Make people feel welcome is the first thing. Try to accommodate for them. If they have difficulty understanding something or are sticking out let them know what they’re doing wrong. Just help them to adapt to an environment.
Are you happy here? Yes.
Would you go back? Yes probably. Not to live in Sweden or Whales but to live in England.